Razor strop container and supporting device



-April 28, 1942. J. E. GILLESPIE RAZOR STROP CONTAINER AND SUPPORTINGDEVICE Filed Aug. 22, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheetl April 2- J. E. Gl LLESPIE2,281,428

RAZOR S TROP CONTAINER AND SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 22, 1959 2Sheets -Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 28, 1942 F RAZOR. STROP CONTAINERANDSUPPORT- ING DEVICE John E. Gillespie, Washington, D. C., assignor ofone-half to Sherman C.

Shelton, Washington,

Application August 22, 1939, Serial N0. 291,403

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in razor strop container andsupporting devices from which the strop may be withdrawn for the purposeof sharpening razor blades and upon release thereof will automaticallybe returned within the container. -The invention relates moreparticularly to improved razor strop container and supporting deviceswhich serve to support and maintain the razor strop in operaand arefarced into the fibers of the strop by the action of the razor as it ispassed over the strops surface. As a result the stropping surface istransformed into a breeding medium for bacteria, which are transferredfrom the hands of the operator, towels, or other objects which come intocontact with the unprotected strop. During the sharpening operation, thebacteria are transferred to the razor which results in skin infectionsparticularly when the skin. is cut or otherwise broken during theshaving period. Heretofore protecting and disinfecting devices have beensuggested although these devices have been ineffectual in completelydisinfecting the stropper while maintaining it in a protected coveringfrom which the strop may be easily withdrawn and supported in anoperative position. No means have been provided in the prior art devicesto insure that the gaseous disinfecting substance will at all times andcompletely permeate the atmosphere within which the strop is confined.In order to remedy these and other deficiencies of the prior art, theimproved razor strop container and supporting device is provided with acirculating system by virtue of which gaseous disinfecting substancesare transferred to all parts of the interior of the container.

The circulatory system of the improved razor strop container andsupporting device is provided by a plurality of apertured ductspositioned adjacent the edges of the strop. Air and gaseous disinfectingsubstances are forced through the ducts by the action of a plunger whichis operated during the movement of the strop in and out of thecontainer. The forced flow of the gas not only serves as means to causedistribution of the gas'but also to insure vaporization of thedisinfecting substances; In the present embodiment of the invention, theducts also serve as guide members for the plunger. In addition tocausing the flow of gas, the plunger also serves as a counterweight toinsure the return of the strop into the container after it has beenreleased from its operative position;

In addition to the above defined objectives, the razor strop containerand supporting device is provided with improved releasable means formaintaining-the strop in operative position. The improved razor stropcontainer is also formed substantially air-tight inorder to eliminatethe leakage of the disinfecting gas when'the strop is withdrawn from andreturned into the container.

The features of the improved razor strop container and supporting devicehave been embodied into a device which can be conveniently supported ona barber chair, or on a bracket attached to a wall or cabinet. Forgreater convenience, the strop handle is pivotally secured to the stropin order to lie adjacent the container when the strap is confined withinthe container.

In order to define the invention with greater particularity, referenceis made to the accompanying' drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a barber chair on which the improvedrazor strop container and supporting device is attached;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a portion of a barber's lavatory,mirrors and cabinets disclos-- ing a convenient position of theimprovedcontainer and supporting device attached thereto;

Figure 3' is a side longitudinal view in section of the improvedcontainer;

Figure 4 is a front longitudinal view in section of the improvedcontainer;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the improved razor strop container andsupporting device disclosing the cam surfaces of the securing means;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the strop lower binding in engagementwith the cam surfaces of the strop securing means;

Figure '7v is an enlarged side view in section of the container top withthe strop withdrawn;

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure4; and

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing f a modification of theimproved razor strop container.

The razor strop container It comprises a casing formed of side portionsll, an apertured and removable top l2 and a removable bottom l3. Asshown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the top I2 is formed with depending sides Mwhich fit over and frictionally engage the reduced sections of the upperpart of the side portions I. An elongated aperture I is provided in theupper surface of the top through which the strop is moved. On oppositesides of the aperture l5 a pair of oppositely turned cam flanges I'd arepositioned. The pair of oppositely turned cam flanges are employed inreleasably securing the strop in its withdrawn position as will be laterdescribed. The bottom I3 is also formed in the manner of a cap whereinthe upturned sides fit over and.

frictionally engage reduced sections of. the side portions II. The topl2 and bottom |3 are secured in place either by frictional engagement orby screws or other conventional locking means which are not shown.

The strop 2|], which may be formed of laminae of leather and canvas orother materials, is shown positioned within the container in Figures 3and 4 and shown in part withdrawn from the container in Figures 6 and 7.Bifurcated binding members 2| and 22 are located on. each end of thestrop. Securing means 23 in the form of nutequipped bolts with reducedheads are shown although it is contemplated that other types of securingmeans such, for example, as rivets, etc., may be employed for attachingthe binding members to the respective ends of the strop. Binding member2| is formed with a depending section 24 having a reduced cross sectionand rounded edges 25 which engage the cam flanges l6 as shown in Figure6 when the strop is withdrawn and rotated through a, slight angle. Dueto the curvature and inclination of the surfaces of cam flanges it, therounded edges 25 will readily pass thereover upon rotation as indicatedin Figure 6 to secure releasablythe strop in its withdrawn position.When it is desired to return the. strop to its protected position withinthe container, the strop is rotated and the rounded edges pass over thecam surfaces in a manner to orient the binding member 2| with theaperture |5 so that the strop freely moves through the aperture. Thelower portion of the depending section 24 is provided with a slot 2%through which passes the shank of an interconnecting link in the form ofan eyebolt 21, the enlarged head 29 of which serves to maintain theeyebolt 21 fastened to the depending section 24 of binding member 2|.Eyebolt 21 is connected to the loop of bolt 28 which in turn is securedto the central portion of the plunger 30. The connections between thebinding member 2| and the plunger 30 provide a universal joint aboutwhich the strop may be freely moved. Figure '7 discloses the strop afterremoval from the container directed downwardly in parallel relationshipadjacent the side of the container by virtue of the pivotal joints ofthe universal connection.

The weighted plunger 3|] is formed to fit slidably the general contourof the interior of the container ll]. Inasmuch as the plunger serves notonly as a means for causing movement of the air and disinfecting gas inthe circulatory system but also as a counterweight for the strop, theplunger is made suiiiciently heavy to descend in the container and carrythe strop with itwhen the strop is releasedfrom thecam flanges I6. Guidemembers 3| are provided within the container l0 which serve in thenature of tracks to guide the weighted plunger 30 during its movementwithin the container. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the guidemembers 3| are hollow, elongated elements and are positioned betweentheend walls of 'the'container' U3 and the edges of the strop 20. Theside sections of the plunger 30 are formed to engage slidably the guidemembers 3| as indicated by reference numerals 32, 33 and 34 of Figure 8regardless of the cross sectional shape of the guide members. It iscontemplated that various shaped guide members may be employed and thebeveled members 3| shown in Figure 8 are illustrative of one type whichhas been found highly satisfactory in actual practice.

.The guide members 3| also serve as passages for the gas circulatingsystem of the present inminate with open ends 36 in the lower portion ofthe container. The hollow guide members 3| are apertured at spacedintervals throughout their lengths as indicated by reference numeral 37,From the description of the improved strop container and supportingdevice thus far given it will be evident that upward movement of theplunger 30 from the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 will cause the gasin the upper portion of the container to be forced downwardly throughthe guide members 3| so that when the plunger reaches its upper positionshown in Figure 7 substantially all of the gas within the container willhave been circulated by the movement of the plunger.

An open topped container 40 is positioned in the bottom of the containerID and if desirable it can be formed integral with the removal bottomI3. The disinfecting substance Al is placed within the open toppedcontainer 40 from which it may freely pass into the gaseous phase and becirculated throughout the atmosphere of the container by the movement ofthe plunger 3|). Many disinfecting substances are available for use inthe improved container and supporting device and in general anydisinfectant which will pass into the vapor state under normalconditions of temperature and pressure may be used. Aqueous solutions offormaldehyde have been found very effective in practice although oxygen,

chlorine and ammonia liberating compounds can also be employed. Thedisinfecting substance can be placed in the open topped container 40 andbemaintained in place by gravity or sponges or blotters impregnated withthe disinfecting solution may be placed in the container in order to.maintain the disinfectant from becoming displaced. As shown in Figures 3and 4 the open topped container is placed adjacent the lower open ends36 of the guide members 3| and when the plunger 30 is moved upwardly, aportion of the air is caused to pass over'the surface of thedisinfecting substance which aids in the evaporation and diffusion ofthe disinfecting substance.-

In order within the container, the aperture l5 isprovided with a selfclosing washer which is secured in place by a spring collar 5| adjacentthe top of the container as best shownin Figure 7. The self-closingwasher 50 which is formed of a resilient material such as rubber or feltcontainsa centrally positioned slit through which the strop and itsappendages may pass with the exception of the plunger 30. In addition tosealing the container the washer 50 serves as a stop forthe plunger 30at the uppermost position of its travel as shown in Figure 7.

A stop 42 is positioned adjacent-the bottom to serve asa rest for theplunger 30. The stop.

to maintain the disinfecting gas rubber in order to eliminate noise whenthe plunger comes to rest;

Binding member 22 'iS provided with a pivotal I connection 45 to whichan intermediate link 46 is attached. On the 'end of the intermediatelink opposite the pivotalconnection 45, a second pivotal connection '41is provided to which the binding member 48 of the strop handle 49 isattached. Use of the double pivotal connection at each end of theintermediate link 46 permits the strop handle 49 to hang adjacent thecontainer I!) when the strop is in inoperative position as shown byFigure 3.

Figure 9 discloses a. modification of the improved stropcontainer andsupporting device wherein tubular guide 'andduct members 60 areemployed.- In addition, thefigure shows the manner in which the casingmay be rounded such, for example, as at El in order to obtain astreamlined contour of the casing.

Figures 1 and 2 disclose positions wherein the strop container andsupporting device have been used in practice. In Figure 1 the device II]is mounted on the side of a barber chair 62 where it may be convenientlyused by the barber. In Figure 2 the device I5 is attached to a cabinet63 and spaced from the wall 64 to position it flush with the front edgesof the cabinet. In each instance the device is attached by the use ofbrackets 65, the specific structure of which forms no part of thisinvention. In mounting the strop container and supporting device it isdesirable to position it so that the strop handle 49 is within easyreach of the barber and so that the strap when withdrawn from thecontainer is at the right height for sharpening purposes. It is alsocontemplated that the device may be mounted behind a vertical cabinetwall or the like in angular relationship so that the top I2 is flushwith the vertical cabinet wall.

The operation and method of use of the strop container and supportingdevice is as follows: The strop handle 49 is grasped and the strop ispulled upwardly until the rounded edges of the binding member 2| arepositioned adjacent the lower portion of the cam flanges as shown inFigure 6. Upward movement of the plunger forces the gas within thecontainer downwardly through the hollow guide members 3I causing a partof the gas to flow over the disinfectant substance. Rotation of thestrop and the binding member 2| forces the rounded edges 25 to ride uponto the cam flanges It to secure releasably the strop in its withdrawnposition. If desirable the strop can be further withdrawn until the loopof bolt 28 comes even with the top of the cam flanges in which positionthe strop may be suspended downwardly as shown in Figure '7 due torotation of the shank of eyebolt 21 in slot 26. In this position plungeris positioned adjacent the under side of the selfclosing washer as shownin Figure 7. Upon releasing the strop either by moving it into verticalalignment with the aperture I5 from the position shown in Figure 7 or byrotating the rounded edges 25 so that they will slide down the camflanges I 6 and be directed into the aperture I5, the strop will beautomatically returned within the container by virtue of the weight 30to the position shown in Figures 3 and 4. Downward passage of theplunger causes the gas within the container to be forced upwardlythrough the guide members 3I. In both directions of movement the gas isfree to pass into and from the hollow guide members 3|. through theapertures 31 and the open ends .35,- and 36'. The forced circulation oftheair and. disinfect.-

ing gas causes complete diffusion throughout thev interior of thecontainer and the self-closing washer 50 maintains. the gases within thecontainer withoutv loss due-to leakage.

Various modifications and embodiments such,

for example, as placement of the air ducts outside of the. container andforming the plunger to.

slidably engage the container walls will be apparent to' those skilledin the art, and it is my desire that the'appended claims shall cover allmodifications and'arrangements which ,come within the scope and spiritof my invention.

Having thus described certain embodiments of the invention, what isclaimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A razor strop container and supporting device comprising a casinghaving gas confined therein, a movable plunger slidably positionedwithin said device, plunger, moving. means comprising a. razor strophaving one end connected to said plunger and passage means between theupper and lower parts of the casing through which the gas confinedwithin the casing may flow from one side of the plunger to the otherduring movement of the plunger by the moving means.

2. A razor strop container and supporting device comprising a casinghaving a gas confined therein, a cover for said casing provided with anopening therein, a razor strop slidably positioned in said casing andadapted to pass through said opening, means for sealing said openingadjacent said strop and circulating means for said confined gascomprising a movable plunger secured to said strop and passage means forthe gas extending from one side to the other side of said plunger.

3. A container for a razor strop having an aperture through which thestrop may pass, means for confining a gas within said container, a razorstrop slidably positioned within said container, hollow guide memberssecured adjacent opposite walls of the container, and a movable plungerconnected to said strop and in slidable engagement with said guidemembers.

4. A razor strop container and supporting device comprising a casing, arazor strop slidably positioned within said casing, a cover for saidcasing provided with an opening through which said strop may beWithdrawn, sealing means comprising a washer adjacent said opening forconfining a gas within said casing, means comprising a weighted plungerfor returning said strop within said casing from its withdrawn position,said latter means cooperating with passage means extending between theupper and lower positions of said casing to circulate the gas within thecasing during movement of the strop.

5. A razor strop container and supporting device comprising a casing, arazor strop slidably positioned within said casing, a cover for saidcasing provided with an opening through which said strop may bewithdrawn, sealing means comprising a washer adjacent said opening forconfining a gas within said casing, a source of disinfecting gas withinsaid casing, means comprising a weighted plunger for returning saidstrop within said casing from its withdrawn position, said plungercooperating with a plurality of apertured passages extending between theupper and lower portions of said casing to circulate the dis- 6. A razorstrop container and supporting de vice comprising a casing, a razorstrop slidably positioned within said casing, a cover for said casingprovided with an opening through which said strop may be withdrawn,sealing means comprising a washer adjacent said opening for confining agas within said casing, a slidable plunger within said casing connectedto the lower end of said strop and movable therewith, means for guidingsaid plunger comprising elongated hollow passage members positionedadjacent o'pposite walls and a stop member positioned in the lower partof said casing against which the plunger rests when the strop ispositioned within the container.

7. A razor strop container and supporting device comprising a. casing, arazor strop slidably positioned within said casing, a cover for saidcasing provided with an opening through which said strop may bewithdrawn, a means for returning the strop within the casing from itswithdrawn position, a binding member having games curved edges on itslowermost portion secured to the lower end of said strop, oppositelyturned latching flanges having curved surfaces adapted to guide saidbinding member therebetween located on opposite exterior sides of theopening in the cover whereby the strop is releasably secured in itswithdrawn position by rotation of the strop after withdrawal from thecasing.

8. A razor strop container and supporting device comprising a casing, arazor strop slidably positioned within said casing, a handle for saidstrop, a binding member secured to the upper end of said strop, a coverfor said casing provided with an opening through which said strop may bewithdrawn, means for returning said strop within the container from itswithdrawn position, an intermediate link having one end hingedly securedto said binding member and the other end hingedly secured to said strophandle, said intermediate link being of such length to permit the handleto rest adjacent the casing side when the strop is positioned within thecontainer.

JOHN E. GILLESPIE.

